This year, Mindfield reflects on the one thing that separates us from the machines; that glorious unique trait of humans: creativity.
In partnership with Creative Ireland, the five year initiative to place creativity and the centre of public policy, Mindfield has this year threaded through its programme, a host of events and moments that reflect on and explore the nature of creativity here in Ireland and internationally. We’ll look at how the people behind that art and culture in all its forms help nourish society and keep the Barbarians from the gates.

There will be tough questions, inspiring answers, heated debate, huge laughs, provocative ideas, heart-breaking poetry, magnificent speeches, mind-blowing science, transcendent theatre, soaring literature and much, much more all set among the trees of the Mindfield arena with its top class food and drinks stalls and Theatre of Food itself. A true feast for the senses.

The Leviathan Stage introduces a new format called ILLUMINATE! hosted by one of our sharpest provocateurs, Blindboy Boatclub of the Rubberbandits, in which some of Ireland’s leading artists give illustrated insights into their creative process and influences, including the team behind RIOT! the smash-hit cabaret; Lorna Ross of Fjordnet; artist, Blaise Smith RHA; designer Annie Atkins; actor, Clare Dunne; and chef, Kevin Thornton among others. The ever-popular Soundings live podcast of intriguing chats and tunes returns hosted by Lisa Hannigan and Dylan Haskins, featuring Saint Sister and special guests. Hot off the heels of his triumph at the Galway International Film Fleadh, musician and film maker Nick Kelly presents a pre-premiere of his award-winning film The Drummer and the Keeper.

Fergal Keane, the author and legendary BBC foreign correspondent, hosts another new show called My Secret Planet – a cross between the radio classics Desert Island Discs and On the Psychiatrist’s Couch that roots out the cultural influences in interviews with some of the Picnic’s most fascinating artists. Broadcaster, Miriam O’Callaghan and comedian, Al Porter team up for Miriam and Al’s Sunday Brunch – a heavy-headed, light-hearted review of the Sunday papers with special guests and music. Blindboy Boatclub will also be in the chair for two new hard-hitting FACTION debates on politics and the media with war correspondent, Shona Murray, economist, David McWilliams and others; which aim to burn fake news and explore how good, evidence-based information can help make better decisions.

There’s a special Irish Research Council discussion on the Science of Online Dating, Paddy Cullivan presents his new political satire show 26 + 6 = 1 about a future United Ireland; Tommy Graham’s History Ireland Hedge School presents two fascinating panels on the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution and the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Punk – 1977; and Salon du Chat bring us relaxed mornings of gentle informed conversation – just no small talk.

Ably captained as always by the mighty Marty Mulligan from Mullingar, The Word will be jam packed with Slam Poetry. The best of Irish and UK grime and hip hop, bands, theatre and comedy. Expect blistering sets from Cian Finn, Outerclass, Brave Giant, Mango and Mathman, Mr Hovis, festival favourites Good Man Sheila, Cronin and special guests. Skas Good Gravy, Movment, rappers Stone and Jezreel, Áine Tyrell and Susan O’ Neill (AKA son).

This year’s Theatre Stage in association with Dublin Theatre Festival, will feature a fresh and fiery mix of theatre, comedy, slam poetry and Irish dancing that gets under the muddy skin of millennial Ireland. It’s all about having an experience, finding and losing yourself (and all your mates), meeting the one you Tinder-matched with in Jimi Hendrix and maybe having a jig too. The line-up includes anarchic comedian Paul Currie, Bohemians FC’s poet in residence Lewis Kenny and Nigerian-born, Longford-raised spoken word artist Felispeaks as well as a one-woman show: Look it, Fuck it from actress Clare Dunne, The Humours of Bandon by Mags MacAuliffe, George Bush and his Children by Dick Walsh, Brownbread Mix Tape's The Definitive View and MALAPROP's BlackCatFishMusketeer. By night, the Theatre Stage plays host to an amazing mental health-oriented programme assembled by A Lust for Life – Pieta House, winners of the 2016 Social Entrepreneurs Award, together with the Wall of Sound installation in the heart of the MindField arena.

Now part of a major pioneering international network of spaces where science meets the arts, Science Gallery Dublin returns to MindField hot on the heels of its record-breaking Sound Check exhibit. Join the Science Gallery team once again for a mind-bending blitz of short, sharp talks on science, technology and art. From experts in artificial intelligence to artists designing solutions to climate change, MindField will play host to discussions on the topics shaping our world, that cross boundaries and come together at Science Gallery, where ideas collide. Coder Dojo will also have daily creative workshops for young people in coding, gaming and music making.